NDMC News

The U.S. Department of Agriculture compared areas in drought according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map with areas planted in various crops to determine that:

• Crops and cattle in drought continued to rise.  Overall, drought has shifted toward the north and west in recent weeks.
• U.S. corn in drought stands at 85 percent, up a percentage point from a week ago.  The corn harvest is underway, 26 percent complete nationally by September 16.
• Soybeans in drought also rose a point – to 82 percent.  The soybean harvest has accelerated, and stood at 10 percent complete nationally as of September 16.
• Hay in drought likewise rose 1 point to 67 percent, eclipsing the 66 percent high set on July 17 and 24.
• Cattle in drought reached a new high, rising 1 point to 75 percent.
• Winter wheat in drought was added last week, as planting is underway (11 percent complete).  Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of winter wheat areas are in drought.
• Due to expansion of drought in the nation’s mid-section, contiguous U.S. drought coverage reached a record-high 64.82 percent on September 18, eclipsing last week’s mark of 64.16 percent. The former record of 63.86 percent had been set earlier in the summer on July 24.
• The forecast features little if any rain over the next five to seven days in most of the severe-to extreme drought areas, particularly the Great Plains.

See supporting pdf.

-- From Eric D. Luebehusen, meteorologist, World Agricultural Outlook Board, Office of the Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture